Facing a team that the Oil have beat in seven straight games, last night was a much needed “gimme” to stay firmly in the playoff race. Unfortunately, as the Vancouver Canucks founds out a games back, the Coyotes aren’t rolling over and playing dead.

It was a familiar story for the Oilers last night, an inability to find the back of the net with a “too little too late” ending after a short flurry in the third period, came up one goal short.

Frustration is high for myself, for the fan base in general and from the looks of it from the coaching staff and players. Though I’m not surprised at where they sit in the standings (pre-season I had the Oilers finishing in the sixth to ninth range) I am surprised about the way we’ve gotten here. Games like last night could be extrapolated over the season to sum up the year the team has had: Spurts of greatness, stretches of solid play mixed in with a whole pile of mediocrity and a sprinkle of expansion caliber mistakes and give a ways. This team clearly has a long way to go before it can be considered a solid playoff contender.

Fortunately (or unfortunately?) the team is back on the snide tonight, squaring off with the suddenly resurgent Ducks squad. Winners of five straight, the Ducks now find themselves sitting in seventh tied with Preds with 80 points. A veteran team that was recently considered down and out, has the tools and now apparently has the drive to secure a top eight spot. Need I say this is a must win game?